An Official MLBlog of the Arizona Diamondbacks

D-backs Invite Lopez to Camp

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The D-backs signed right-handed pitcher Rodrigo Lopez to a minor league contract Wednesday, with an invitation to big league camp.

The 34-year-old Mexico native (happy birthday to Rodrigo, by the way… he turned 34 on Monday) has a 68-66 record and a 4.95 ERA in eight Major League seasons. He has also pitched for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic (the above photo is from the 2006 tournament).

He had an excellent rookie year with the Baltimore Orioles in 2002, going 15-9 with a 3.57 ERA. He had 136 strikeouts and 62 walks in 196 2/3 innings.

Injuries derailed him after that, though, including an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery in 2007. He pitched for the first time in nearly two years when he came out of the bullpen for the Philadelphia Phillies on July 3 of last season.

All in all, it’s a good, no-risk move for the D-backs, adding a veteran arm to the mix of players vying for the few available spots on the pitching staff.

2 Comments

I want to comment about Mark Reynolds.
While the home runs are nice, he must learn the strike zone, and cut down on the terrible strike out total. Think how helpful he would be if 50 or 100 of those “K’s” were just put into play. This must be his challenge and the hitting coach’s major challenge in spring training.

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